How to Apply for SNAP in South Dakota as a Grandparent Raising Grandchildren

SNAP Counts Your Whole Household

Unlike TANF's child-only track — where the caregiver's income is invisible — SNAP counts the income of everyone in the home who buys and prepares food together. If you are a grandparent living with and feeding your grandchild, both of you are in the same SNAP household.

This catches many kinship caregivers off guard. They hear that TANF does not count their Social Security, assume SNAP works the same way, and then either skip the SNAP application or are surprised when the benefit amount is lower than expected.

But SNAP's deduction system is generous enough that many fixed-income grandparents still qualify for substantial monthly allotments.

Income Limits and Deductions

For a household of three (one grandparent plus two grandchildren), the FY 2027 gross monthly income limit is $2,960 (130% of the federal poverty level).

But gross income is not the number that determines your benefit. SNAP applies several deductions before calculating the allotment:

• Standard deduction (applied to all households)
• Dependent care deduction for childcare costs incurred due to work or training
• Medical expense deduction for unreimbursed costs of eligible elderly or disabled household members; DSS subtracts a $35 monthly disregard from the household's combined allowable medical expenses
• Shelter/utility deduction for rent, mortgage, property taxes, and utility costs

A grandparent paying $800 in rent, $200 in utilities, and $150 in out-of-pocket medical costs will see significant reductions to their countable net income.

Asset limits: Countable resources may not exceed $3,000 for standard households, or $4,750 if any household member is aged 60 or older or has a verified disability. Most grandparent-headed kinship households qualify for the higher $4,750 limit.

Maximum Monthly Benefits

The federal maximum SNAP allotment for a family of four is $1,023 per month under FY 2027 standards. The actual amount you receive equals the maximum allotment for your household size minus 30% of your calculated net monthly income.

A grandparent whose net income (after deductions) comes to $800 per month for a three-person household would receive the maximum allotment for three people minus $240 (30% of $800).

How to Apply

You can apply for SNAP online through eaportal.sd.gov or by submitting a paper application at your local DSS Economic Assistance office. Call 1-877-999-5612 for the nearest office.

Bring proof of identity, Social Security numbers for everyone in the household, proof of income (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, pension statements), and documentation of shelter costs and medical expenses.

Expedited SNAP: If your household has very low income or resources, you may qualify for expedited processing — DSS must issue benefits within 7 days instead of the standard 30.

Recertification

Most SNAP households renew every 12 months. Some households also complete a six-month report form during the certification period. If your notice requires mid-certification reporting, report when monthly gross income exceeds the limit for your household size by the 10th day of the following month.

DSS sends a renewal notice before your deadline. A late or incomplete six-month report can close the case. DSS will reinstate a closed case if you submit a complete report before the report month ends; after that, you must reapply. A late renewal application is prorated from the date DSS receives it.

SNAP and TANF Together

You can receive both SNAP and a TANF child-only grant simultaneously. They are separate programs with separate applications and separate income rules. The TANF child-only grant is counted as income to the SNAP household, but the amount ($414 for one child) is modest enough that it rarely pushes a kinship household over the SNAP income limit.

The South Dakota Financial Help Guide includes a household income worksheet that helps you calculate eligibility across SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and child care assistance at the same time.

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